Webcast Helps Growers Understand Phytoplasmas

Published online: Feb 24, 2014Insecticide

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A webcast presented last week by the Plant Management Network provides insight into diseases caused by phytoplasma organisms in potatoes.

This presentation by University of Minnesota Extension entomologist Ian MacRae will help producers, agricultural professionals and others in the North Central region and other potato producing areas recognize and manage the phytoplasma disease, purple top in potatoes.

In this presentation, the biology of the phytoplasma causing purple top and its insect vector, the aster leafhopper, are discussed as well as potential management of the disease in potato production. The disease, its symptoms and impacts are reviewed and the epidemiology resulting from the life history, distribution and movement of the vector/pathogen complex is presented.